Green Mountain Blog

Building Solar for Students in Portland

The Green Mountain Energy Sun Club® is proud to announce its first solar donation in Portland, Oregon! Local non-profit Portland YouthBuilders has received a $20,000 donation to build solar on its campus, giving its high school students the opportunity to develop and use the skills and experience associated with installing and interacting with a renewable power source as they consider pursuing careers in the industry.

Part of Portland YouthBuilders’ mission is to support low-income youth who have dropped out of high school and are committed to changing their lives to become contributing members of their community. Annual savings from this 8.8-kilowatt solar system will be enough to send these students on three college field trips a year, where they can, ideally, find new paths to success.

Imagine Energy and GreenSavers are partnering to install the solar system on a pro bono basis. Imagine Energy will head up the system design and installation, as well as donate $3,500, to make the project possible.

Students at Portland YouthBuilders will document the solar installation’s progress, taking video of the process that will later be utilized as a learning tool. GreenSavers will lead classes on building science, explaining the connection between the new solar system and the other systems in the building.

Many of our Green Mountain employees who live and work in Portland are passionate about the Sun Club’s projects and will work with Portland YouthBuilders to manage the solar installation and explore additional opportunities to give back to the non-profit.